Filler tobacco feed



June 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK FILLER TOBACGO FEED Filed April 1; 1942 7Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORV FREDERICK C.GLADECK I v l ATTORNEY lllll 1 mlmwJune 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK FILLER TOBACCO FEED Filed April 1, 1942 7Sheets-Sheet 2 .IN\'IDENTOR :fR'EDEB'CK C.GLADECK 7 June 26, 1945. F. c.GLADECK 'FILLER TOBACCO FEED Fild April 1, 1942 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORFREDERICK C. GLADECK W ATTORNEY June 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK FILLERTOBACCO FEED ATTORNEY F. C. GLADECK FILLER TOBACCO FEED June26, 1945.

Filed April 1, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor FREDERICK c GLADECK June26, 1945.

F. C. GLADE-CK FILLEfi TOBACCO FEED 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 1, 1942I'NVENTOR FREDERICK C.GLADECK ATTORNEY June 26, 1945. F. CfGLADECK 2FILLER I'OBACGO FEED Filed A r'ii 1, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORFREDERICK C. GLA DECK Mun Patented June 26, 1945 I FILLER TOBACCO FEED!Frederick C. Gladeck, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to International CigarMachinery Company, a

corporation of New Jersey Application April 1, 1942, Serial No. 437,250

22 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines, more particularly to longfiller tobacco feeds.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a filler feedwherein the tobacco leaves may be laid in a single layer upon atraveling surface which deposits them in an overlapping shingledrelationship upon a conveyor whichadvances the stream so formed to abunchcutter.

ing belts and knife mechanism, taken alongline 4-4 of Fig. 1; e t e Fig.is a partial plan view of a modified automatic long filler tobacco feed;

Thus the somewhat laborious manual operation of building up a shingledlayer of long filler tobacco upon the cross-feed belt of the type ofcigar machine shown in the Bronander Patent No. 1,740,571, may bedispensed with.

A further object is to advance the layer of tobacco leaves upon theconveyor while it is traveling through a channel-shaped member wherebythe leaves are curled uponthemselves. Thus a stream of filler tobaccoconsisting of curled-up tobacco leaves assembled in overlapping shingledrelationship upon the conveyor will be produced and from this streamcigar bunches having a superior draft to those formed by the, type ofmachine shown in the above mentioned Bronander patent will be produced.

Still another objectof the invention is to compress the tobacco streamas it emerges from the conveyor in order to give it suflicient bodytopermit the charges separated therefrom to be transferred to binderapplying position without disintegration. In case the tobacco leaves arecurled up upon themselves on the conveyor as mentioned above,'this is ofparticular advantage as the curled nature of the separated bunch chargeswill be retained during transfer tobinder applying position. In one formof construction exemplified in the present disclosure for obtaining thiscompression of the tobacco stream, which is an alternative embodiment, atapered forming member is employed to produce the requisite compressionof the tobacco stream. Withthese and other objects not specificallymentioned in view, the invention consists in the particularcombinations,construction and features hereinafterfully described. i I

In the accompanying drawings which form "a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the automatic long' filler tobacco feed, theknife mechanism being omitted fromthis view;

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the improved tobaccofeed; M

Fig. 3 is a partial end elevation of the tobacco feed showingdrivingmeans from line 3-3 of I Fig. 5A is a detail sectional view on anenlarged scale taken on the line 5A 5A ofFig. 6;; a

Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5; e t Fig. 7 is an end view of the chargetransfer mechanism taken from line 1'l of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 isafragm'entary plan view on an enlarged scale of the charge transfershown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2,3 and 4, the preferred form of automatic longfiller tobacco feed consists of pedestals I0, and 12 mounted on the bedofthe cigar machine, a bracket l4 being attached to and overhanging saidpedestals and SHPDOItr ing a portion of the driving means which will bepresently described. upright frame l5.

having legs l6 and I1 fastened to the top of bracket l4isprovided with avertical slide-way l8 wherein is slidably mounted (Fig. 1) the holder I9which supports the corrugated cutter2fl. On

the brackets 22 fastenedto the backs of the legs l6 and I! aremounted'rollers 23a and 2311 which guide and support the compressingbelt 24' which extends between the legs I6 and I! of frame [5.

The filler tobacco, which is preferably stemmed leaf tobacco,is'progressively placed on the intermittentlydriven horizontal belt 26,by the oper ator with the lengths of the tobacco leaves, exg, tendingtransversely of the belt in a manner to completely cover the belt. Theupper run of belt 26, which is supported by a plate 21, (Fig. 4), ad-

/ vances the tobacco under the lower run ofa belt 28 which tends toflatten the leaves and also aids in conveying the same into the portionof the feed belt 32 which runs through and is thereby, folded upwardlywithina channel 30 (Fig. 4

within theU-shapedforming block 34.

Belt 32 travels in a transverse direction to belt 26 and isintermittently driven. The belt 32 de rives intermittent motion from ashaft 36, Figs.

1, 2 and 3, which is carried by the pedestals I0 and I2, shaft36 beingprovided with a sprocket I I 38 driven by a chain 40 running over asprocket Fig. '4 is asectionaI view showing the forward- (not shown)mounted on, a continuously driven shaft of the cigar machinef A crankarm 42 fastened to the end of shaft 36 protruding from pedestal I0 isprovided with a stud 44 engaging in an elongated slot 46 of a link 48,the latter being connected to an arm 50 loosely mounted on a shaft 52supported by pedestal ID and,

bracket 73 (Fig. 2). The upper end of arm 50 is provided with a stud 54suporting a pawl 56 engaging a ratchet wheel 58 fastened on shaft 52,whereby the latter is driven during the counter-clockwise movement ofthe pawl when the stud 44 engages the outer end of slot 46 while movingin a countereclockwise direction. Thus the belt 32, which is driven fromshaft 52 as will be presently described, is intermittently driven duringthe counter-clockwise movement of the pawl; the;latter movement being:limited when the pawl engages a stop pin 60 (Fig. 3). A stop screw 62mounted on the link 48 is engaged by the stud to return the pawl toinitial po.-..

sition, and the lost motion of the stud44. inthe be varied to permitadjustment. of: the feeding stroke of the pawl. An adjustable screw 64is. secured in a strap 66 suspended from themachine to limit the travelof pawl 56 in the rearward direction.

'I he turning of shaft 52 imparts motion to a. bevelgear'68 in mesh witha bevel gear 'I0 mounted on a verticalshaft l2 whichis supported by thebracket 13": The upper end-of shaft '12 passes through a hole in a bossformed on the inner end of the depressed cross; webfM of the'bracket I4(Figs. 1 and 2) and; the portion of this shaft below web I4 isequippedwith a bevel gear I5 in mesh with a bevel gear I6- mountedon ahorizontal shaft 18- supported in; bracket I4, the shaft I8 alsocarrying a spur gear 80 in mesh with a spur gear 82- mounted on a shaft84 supported by bracket I4. Shaft is provided with a. drum 86 drivingthebelt32 which runs over idler pulleys 88 and 90, whose spindles; areremovably mounted in recesses formed in the vertical walls. 95

connecting, the top of bracket I4 to the depressed web 1-4; andpulleysl; 96, 98and99; The project; ingends of the shaft of the pulley 99aresupported in notches ofthe bracket I00 fastened to the uter ide 01rac e "san h n f h o e 90- may betapered as shown inFig. 1. The belt-327.extends betweenthe legs I6 and" I1 of frame iga dl up err n h recix'r mh le 3 to; the legs Ida-r d IT is. supported by; a plate 0:! asteneo he of bra ke The gear 82 masse hr hj 1 M1 h t of e rack t; li nd sheswthdid ives est mom edlo a s aft; 10 ioi rnaledi n he e 6 1 .1 t me ramea h t a ha in I04 driving the compressing. belt 24': which 0 Y. run oyertheidler, pulleys 23c, 23b'and' 23c. The ends. of theshaft hf. roller2-30 are removably mounted in notches in lugs. I0 5- projecting fromthefrdnt'of the legs'JG and I-I and retainedthere inby plates I 06fastened to the lugs" I05. The endcf'the shaft of the roller 23a arealso remov ably mounted in recesses in the brackets 22- andsecuredtherein by lai es "16a,

The shaft 36, .ig's. 1 and; 3; is provided with a sprocket I01 drivingachain Nil-running. over a' sprccketl I0 mounted on: a shaft II2-supported by pedestals I0 and I2, The; end of shaft 2 is providedwith a crank arm l I4-having a stud II6 engaging in an elongated slot II 8; of fa link I20,

i' t er,be i sw i pteqt an r I e t on a shaft I24fsupportedbyaib racket1'26, fa

' tened tojthetop ofbra ck et I4-, as seen; in Fig. 1". The outer end-ofarm I2 2 i s equipped with a stud suppcrun a, pawl; 130' engagin aratchet wh l32"loosellf"mpunted on shaft I24. A gear I3 which is curetothe ratchet; w eel I32 (Fig. 3 s engaged by a'c p screw, I35fth readeda gear I36 which is in mesh with a gear I38 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4), therebydriving the belts 26 and 28. The gear I36 is mounted on a shaft I40supported by lugs I42 extending from member 34, said shaft also carryinga pulley I44 driving the'belt 26 which runs over an idler pulley I46.Gear I38 is mounted on a shaft I48 supported by lugs I50 extending froma guide bracket I52 secured to member 34, this shaft carrying a pulleyI54 driv-' ingthe belt 28 running over an idle! pulley I56 mounted on astationary shaft I58. I

When the stud II6 engages the outer endof slot. I.I.8. while travelingin a counter-clockwise direction, the pawl I30 drives the ratchet I32.

Whilethe stud I I6-travels inwardly from the out- I enendof the slot II8the pawl I30 remains stationary, the further driving movement of pawlI30 being limited by stop I60. This is the position of the pawl I30shown in Fig. 3, the stud II6 moving toward the stop screw I62 on linkI20 to engage said screw to return; the arm I22. with the pawlI30 toinitial position. At the same timethe stud 44 engages the outer end qfslot46 to drive the pawl 56 forwardly and; thereby ad- Vance the belt32. While the pawl I30; is drivingthe ratchet forwardly in, acounter-clockwise direction, the belts 26 and 28' will' be driven, butthe driving thereof is interrupted when the pawl engages a stop pin I60.By adjusting stopscrew I6 2 onlink I20 the lost motion of thestud; I116;in the slot I I8 may be varied, and thus the pawl' I3 0 will be returnedto a different initial ppsitionand its feeding stroke will be varied, Anadjustable screw IE4 is secured in the tail I616- of 'arrn I22 sprocket'I70, Fig.3, mounted on shaft III2 drives a chain I12 running oyerasprocket If|-4 mounted on a sleeve I16 turning on theshafft I58, A camI185. Figs. 1 and 4, mounted'on sleeve I16,

engages a cam roller I80-carried by a.- cam lever I82 mounted on a pivotI84 supportedlin the.

bracket I86 which also supports shaft I58; the bracket I86 beingsupported by a suitableportion of the frame of the machine, not shown.The

other end of cam lever I82 supports one endcfa, link I88 connected tothe projecting lug I90 ofj'a n.

slide I92 operating in a slideway I04 provide bracket: I86. A knife I96carried by slide I82 116. guided in a slot I98 of member I52 isprovided: to

I sever the filler tobacco overlying the' ledgerfiliate 200' secured tomember 34. The severing; opera;- tion' is accomplishedwhen the highportion 202 of the cam engages the cam roller I which happens at a timewhen the belts 25;, 28,1and' 32' are not in motion. Atension spring 204''anchored to bracket use is provided to hold cam roller. my

in engagement with the cam I18;

The operation of fifi edi.

Theoperator places the. filler tobacco upon belt 26' to the lengths ofthe filler leaves extending transe versely of the beltand the fillertobacco wilibe advanced" towards the channel 30 when. motion is impartedto the belts 20'and 20. It will be understood that when belts 26 and 28receive motion, the driving of belt" 32, which runs iifi channel 30 willbe interrupted, Thus the filler tobacco will be advanced over the ledgerplajze 200. The belts 26 and 2.8 may be advanced sufli cientl'y upon.appropriate adjustment of the stop 'scr'ew I62 on link I20 (Fig. 3)'tocause the lead ingendof the layer of filler tobacco passing'ovei thefiller feed will now be form a continuouslayer, preferably with ever,the stop screw I62 may be adjusted to diminish the extent the belts areadvanced, so

I .that the leading end of the layer will not be curled upon itself butwill merely assume the contour of the bottom of the channel portion30-of saidbelt.

Preferably the leaves are overlapped on the belt 26, as shown in Fig. 1,so that the curling ofthe leading end of the layer L in channel 30 willbe assured. When the drive of belts 26 and 28 is stopped and .before thetravel of belt 32 is resumed, the knife I96 by means of its cam isactuated to sever the filler tobacco overhanging the ledger plate 200..The knife having accomplished its duty then returns to its up-positionand motion will be imparted to belt 32 to advance the column of fillertobacco. in the channel 30 a distance corresponding to the lengthrequired fortone cigar. bunch, and-said belt will again be stopped. I Atthis time the belts 26 and 28 will again be driven and the additionalsection of filler tobacco so advanced will partially overlap thepreviously severed tobacco section deposited onbelt 32. The belts 26 and28 are madecomparatively wide so that they can supply tobacco to channel3!! a number of times before the section of the column of tobaccowithinsaid channel advances'beyond their range. It will be seen that acontinuous column or-layer of filler to bacco is thus builtup in a layerby layer fashion, or shingled relationship, resulting in a more evendistribution of the tobacco and thereby eliminating the possibilities ofa hollow portion forming in the column. I

As thebelt 32 emerges from the former block 34, Fig. 1, it spreadsoutward as it passes beyond pulley 88 and returns to a flat or outspreadcondition, and this shape i retained until it runs over pulley 98whereupon the belt is again folded upwardly within the former block. Theopening ofbelt 32 permits the tobacco column to spread out, and in beingadvanced under the belt 24 it is compressed to give it suflicientdensity to be advanced over the ledgerplate 260a withoutdisturbance,such as telescoping, into position for severance of a bunch length bythe corrugated cutter 20, The corrugated cutter 2B which is of wellknown construction as shown in the patent to Bronander 1,740,571,descends and severs a bunchlengthhaving notched or pigtail ends, and

the column of tobacco in the bunohlength may be sufficient for one cigarbunch, the severed length then being transferred to a bunch rollingapron for application of a binder thereto.

In the modified'form of automatic filler tobacco feed disclosed in Figs.5, 6 and 7, the operator places the filler tobacco upon belt 26a, andthe same is co'nveyed'between belts 26a and 28a to the belt 32a in thesame manner as heretofore described. The driving of belts 26a, 28a, and32a is also controlled in the same manner as previously described, andthe belt 32a passes through a hollow-former block 3411 which similarlyfolds the belt 32a to form a channel into larger than at its outlet end2I2, Fig. 5, this tapering of member .2I0 causing the tobacco to bepressed togetherinto the form of a somewhat cylindrically shapedcolumn." Since the member 2 I0 is open at its bottom, the tobacco columnwill be carried through it on the belt 32a and thereby graduallycompacted to a breadth narrow enough to enter the pocket 2| 4hereinafter described.

The upper. run of the belt 32a is guided under the member 2I0 by rollers88a and 99a. The ends of the shafts of rollers 88a andella may beremovably mounted inindentations Slain the vertical walls 95a connectingthe top of the bracket Mo to a cross webl la similar to the cross web 14shown in Figs; 1 and 2. The ends of the shaft of roller 99a aresupported in notches of bracket Illfla fastened to the front of thebracket Ma. The portionof the upper run of belt32a be- Ma and providedwith a gear 82a.driven from a gear 80a on a shaft 18a carrying a bevelgear 'IGadriven from a bevel gear 15a on a vertical shaft 12a which issupported in a bracketfma and passes upwardly into a holein cross webMa. The bevel gear 10a on the lower end of shaft 12a is driven from thebevelgear 68a on shaft 52a. Sincethe construction of 'this gear trainfor driving the drum 86a is similar to that for driving the drum 86 inFigs. 1-4, and the construction of the pawl-and-ratchet-mechanisms fordriving the shaft 52a and the pulleys I42a andlifla of the belts 26a and28a, isthe same as that shown in Fig. 3, further description thereof isdeemed unnecessary. However it "will be noted that the sections oftobacco advanced into the former 34d by the belts 26a and 28a will besevered by a: knife (not shown) actuated by mechanism controlled from acam (not shown) mounted on a sleeve (not shown) supported on shaftI58aand similar to that shown in Fig. 4.

The tobacco column on leaving belt 32a passes over a ledger plate 2I3and enters into a U- shaped pocket 2I4, Figs. 7 and 8, the portion ofthe tobacco column behind the pocket being severedby a suitablecorrugated cutter 2H5 which descends and thus severs the bunch-lengthcharge from the remainder of the tobacco column. i

bars 218 having spacers 220 which rest on the bracket I411. The pocket2I4 is slidably'fitted within a U-shaped guide 222 which is supportedwhich theleading end of the tobacco layer is advanced from-between.belts26a and 28a and then severed. As the belt 32a emerges from the formerblock 34a, Fig. 5, it spreads outwardly in the same manner as heretoforerelated, but in this arrangement the tobacco column entersinto a formingmember 2Ill of U-shaped cross-section supported from the bracketI4awhich is carried by the pedestals Illa and IZa in the same by aholder 224 attached to bracket Ma as shown in Fig. 5. The pocket 2I4isattached to a rod 226 which at its lower end carries a'pin 2'28 engagingin a slot 230 of a cam lever 232 loosely mounted on a shaft 234 fastenedin a boss 236, Fig. 6, carried by frame I 2a. The opposite end of camlever 232 is provided with a cam roller 238 engaging in a track 240 of acam 242 fastened on a shaft 244. Shaft 244 corresponds to the shaft 36shown in Fig. 2, the only difference A rod 246. Fig. 7, is providedtoopen the transfor fingers 248 and 250, rod. being operated v by a camlever 252 mounted. on a pivot stud 254 carried by an arm 256 fastenedto'and suspended from shaft, 234. The lever 252: is provided. with acam'roller 258 which engages the periphery of cam. 242.- The cam 2A2provided with a high portion 26d adapted. to engageroller: 258, thusactuating cam lever 252 and causing rod 246. to move upward and: engagea log 2.62 extending from finger 24 8 and thereby'swinging the fingersfrom their closed to open position in readiness to receive the charge C.

With the charge C lodged in pocket 2-H, the rod 246 is raised and swingsthe fingers Mfi and 250 to their open position-as shown in dotted lines,

whereupon the cam actuated rod 226 is raised to elevate the pocket21:andrtherebyi bringing the charge C into the space between saidtransfer fingers. The pocket 2 retains this position and rod 24.6 isreturned. to'its lowerpposition as roller 258' rides off cam surface2.60. A compression spring 264 located on. and abutting against a collaron the lower portion: of rod 246' tends to hold said rod in engagementwith cam lever 252- and thereby holds cam'roller .258 in engagement withcam 242. The descent. of r d 246 permits the transfer fingers 248 and250 to return to their closed position as will be presently described,and grip the charge C. The-fingers are provided with prongs 265 which inclosing pass through the slots 266-, which are provided in the sides ofpocket.- 2 l4, and thereby grasp the charge.

The

pocket then. descends, permitting the transfer to carry the charge C tothe bunch rolling-apron for application of a bunch to the charge.

The guide 222 is provided with spaced ribs 268.

fitting into the slots 26.5 of pocket. 2-14, said ribs beingshaped toconform with the shape of the ends are provided with intermeshing gearseg- -l 'ments. 210 which serve to open and close the finger 250simultaneously with finger 248. .As. previously related the red 2461serves toopen the fingers, and when said rod descends, a tension spring212 stretched across the fingers willcause the same to return to theirclosed position.- A stop screw 214 carried by finger 250 is provided toengage the finger 2&8 and prevent unnecessary squeezing of the charge.The fingers 248 and 2.50 are carried by an arm 216 which is part of asuitable charge transfer which may be suitably operated to transfer thecharge 0 to the bunch rolling apron. for rolling in a binder to forma'bunch.

What is claimed is: l

1. In a. cigar machine, the combination withv a conveyor adapted toadvance a continuous stream of long filler tobacco, of mechanism forseparating tobacco sections from one. end of a layer of tobacco leaves.whose lengths. extend transversely of the-length of said layer andassembling the separated sections in shingled relationship upon saidconveyor toform a continuous stream of tobacco leaves thereon whoselengths extend lengthwise of the conveyor, and mechanism for separatingfrom the leading end of said stream lengths of filler tobacco whoselengths-correspond to the desired length of bunch charge andtransferring the separated lengths to a predetermined position.

2. In a cigar machine, the combination with; a

tion,=an'd means for driving saidi conveyor, said means. beingadjustable to advance saidstreamby various increments corresponding tovarious desiredlengthsoi bunch charges.

3'. In a cigar machine, the vcombinationwith a conveyor adapted toadvance a continuous stream of'tobacco intermittently, of mechanismfor-sop! arati'ng tobacco sections from one end of a. continuous layerof tobacco leaves: and. assembling the separated sections upon saidconveyortolform a continuous stream of tobacco thereon. with the lengthsof the leaves extending lengthwise of the conveyor, a corrugated cutterfor separating a bunch length having notched ends from the leading endof the. stream during; an interval while 'thestrea-m'is not beingadvanced, and; a device for transferring 'the'severed bunchlength to apredetermined position. 4.- In a cigar machine, the combination anendless conveyor adaptedto feed a continuousstream of. filler tobacco,oi mechanism'for advancing a layer of fillertobacco to advance a sectionthereof on to said conveyor, and a device ior subsequently separatingthe secti'onof said layer so advanced on tothe conveyor, said mechanismand device being. operated in prop erly timed relation to the movementof said con-'- through which said conveyor passes, mechanism foradvancing a layer of filler tobacco transversely of said conveyor intothe channelof said member, whereby the leading end' of said layer iscurled upon itself within said channel and ad vancedupon the conveyor;anda device-for sever ing the section of said layer constituting the:

; buried end thereof, said mechanism and device being operated inproperly timed. relationship to the movement of. said-conveyor toassemble the severed sections on the conveyor-t "f:orm a continuous'stream of filler tobacco thereon. I

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with aconveyor adapted to-feedacontinuous stream of filler tobacco, of a channel-shaped member throughwhichsaid conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layer of fillertobacco-transverse- 1y of said eonveyor into the channel'of said member,whereby the leading end: of said layeris curled. upon itself within saidchannel and ad vanced upon. the conveyor, a device. for severing thesection of said layer constituting the curled end thereof, saidmechanism and device.

being operated in properly timed relationship to means for driving saidconveyor in properly timed versely of said conveyor into the channel ofsaid relationship to said mechanism to cause overlapping of aid severedsections inshingled relation ship onsaid conveyor.

7; In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor adapted to feed acontinuous stream of 5 filler "tobacco, of a channel-shaped memberthrough which said conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layer offiller tobacco transverse ly of said conveyor into the channel of saidmember," whereby the leading end of said layer is 1 curled upon itselfwithinsaid channel and advanced upon the conveyor, a device for severingthe section of said layer constituting the curled end thereof, saidmechanism and device being 0-perated in properly timed relationship tothe move- 1 ment of said conveyor to assemble the severed sections onthe conveyor to form acontinuous stream :of filler tobacco thereon, andmeans for separating bunch lengths from the leading end of said stream.V l a 8. In acigar machine, the combination with a conveyor adapted tofeed a continuous stream offiller tobacco, of a channel-shaped memberthroughwhich said conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layeroffiller tobacco transoperated in properly timed relationship to themovement ofsaid conveyor to assemble the severed sectionson theconveyor-to form a continuous stream oftfiller tobacco thereon, meansfor driving said conveyor inproperly timed relationship to saidmechanism to cause overlapping of saidseveredsections inshingledlrelationship on said conveyor, and devices for separating bunchlengths from the leading end of said stream.

9. In a cigarmachine filler feed, thecombination with a traveling apronfor feedinga broad thinzlayer'of long filler tobacco, offcross feedconveyor means travelingtransversely of said apron l adjacent one edgethereof; in positionto receive 4 filler tobacco delivered from saidapron .-means for. periodically severin a tobacco section from thedelivery edge of said broad thin layer along a line parallel with thedirection of movement;

of said cross feed conveyor, at a distance behind 6?;

said delivery edge approximately th thickness of a bunch, tosuccessively assemble the severed sections on said cross feed conveyorin overlapping shingled relationship to form a stream of approximatelybunch cross-section, and means cooperating with said cross feed conveyorto cut charges at a distance from the leading end of said stream. ofapproximately the length of a bunch. 10. In a cigar machine, thecombination with a conveyor for feeding a continuous stream of fillertobacco, of mechanism for depositing filler tobacco leaves upon saidconveyor with the lengths thereof extending lengthwise of the conveyorto form thereon a continuous stream of tobacco whose breadth isapproximately the thickness of a bunch charge, and a device forseparating bunch length charges from the forward endof said stream, saidmechanism operating to deposit the filler tobacco in overlapped shingledrelationship on said conveyor, mean for adjusting said mechanism to varythe rate at which the filler tobacco is deposited on the conveyor, anddrive means for said conveyonsaid drive means operating to advance theconveyor by increments corresponding to the desired length of charge to7 a flexible endless conveyor belt, of mechanism for depositing fillertobacco upon said belt, a"

member for maintaining said belt in upwardly folded relationship aboutthefiller tobacco deposited thereon, means for compacting the fillertobacco as it emerges from the upwardly folded portion of said belt, anddevices for separating bunch lengths from the filler tobacco compactedby said mean and transferringthe same to a predetermined position.-*-

12. The combination with a conveyor, of

means for assembling curled rolls of long filler tobacco in overlappingrelationship-upon said conveyor to form a continuousstream of tobaccothereon, a hollow member having a tapering opening arranged to admitsaid stream as it is advanced by said conveyor and thereby compress thesame; and a knife forseparating bunch length charges from said stream,and mechaa predetermined position;

13. In a cigar machine, the combination with 5;nisni for transferringthe separated charges to a conveyor, of mechanism for depositing longfiller tobacco upon said conveyor with the ilengths of the tobaccoleaves extending lengthwise of said conveyor to formacontinuous streamoftobacco thereon, a membenarranged to separate tobacco sections fromthe forward end of said stream, means for advancing said conveyor byincrements corresponding to the desired Iengthof bunch charge, wherebySectionshaving; a length corresponding to the desired length of bunchcharge will be separated from thefor ward end of the stream, abunch'transfer having opposed fingers adapted to admit a separated bunchlength 'therebetween and grip the same, and; a device 1 forftransferringeach separated bunch length individuallyfto a position between saidtransferfingersto be gripped by the latter.

"14. In a cigar machine filler feed, the combinatiomwith a, travelingapron for feeding a broad continuous layer L or [long filler tobaccoleavesarranged withlengths of the filler extending transversely of, the;apron, of a fconveyor traveling transversely of said apron adjacentoneend thereof inposition to receive filler tobacco delivered, from'saidapron and then advance the same with the lengthspf the filler tobaccoleaves extending lengthwise of said conveyor into position for severanceof bunch lengths therefrom, and means for advancing said conveyor byincrements corresponding to the desired bunch lengths to be severed fromthe filler tobacco on said conveyor.

15. The combination with aconveyor adapted to feed filler tobacco, of achannel-shaped member through which said conveyor passes, and mechanismfor advancing a layer of filler tobacco transversely of said conveyorinto the channel of said member whereby the filler tobacco is curledupon itself within said member be separated by said device, and saiddevice into form a. second tobacco roll. and separating the roll so.formed. from the stream and. then 17., The method comprising advv ringa: broad thin layer of lon filler tobacccr wherein the lengths -f thfiller tobacco; extend transversely of. said layer, on to a conveyormoving- 11 1 1115? verselv or said layen: separating sections, trons theforward edgeor seidielyer to term a con tinuous stream. of tobacco onsaid convey r with the lengths of the filler tobacco, extending.lengthwise of the co veyon. and p r tin buneh len thsircrn, the forward;endoi sold stream. at a distance fr m: the forward end of. said. streamcorrespond ng; to the desired length otibunch char e '18. In a ci armachine, the: combination with an endless convey adapted to feed a 2911-tinnous stream of filler toboecn, of. mechanism for advancin a aye orfill r tobacco to advance-a. section thereof on to said. conveyo and adevice for subsequently separating, the section or said layer soadvanced on to he e vevor, said. mechani m. and device elne op ratedproperly t med relation to the movement of. said conveyor to advance.said layer and,

separatethe sections thereot advanced on said conveyor to term acontinuous stream oi filler tobacco on. the latter, and means fordriving said conveyor in pr perly tim d relationship to said mechanism tca e.- overlopping; of said. sections in shineled relationship upon saidconveyor.

19. In a cigar machine-the combination with an endless conveyor adaptedtofeed a com tinucus streamer filler tobacco, of mechanism roradvancin alayer oi filler tobacco to ad vance-;a.fsection thereof on to said.onveyor. and. a device for separating the section of. sai l yer soadvanced on to the conveyon said mechanism and device being operated inproperly timed relotion to t e movement or said conveyor to advancesaid; layer and s parate the sections t er of advanced on said-conveyorto form a continuous stream or fillert accoon the latter,-

and a devioe'for separating rrom'tne forward end of; said stream lengthsOI filler tobacco whose lengths: correspond to the desired ength ofbunch charge and transferring them to a predetermined position.

ne'renai fo feeding a layer of. fil er tobacco transvers ly r saidconveyor. on to the st c-r to advance. a

section of said ayer on to said convevons .de-H

vice for subsequently separating the; section or sai layer so advan edupon the conveyo said mechanism and device; being operated. prop r y timd relati nsh p toa van e. said layer and separate the sections thereotadvanced on i, said conveyor to format-continuous stream of fillertobaeceon; said conveyor,

21. In i cigar machine the combination with an, endless onveyo adaptedto feede con tinnous, streamer filler toheccwo me hanism for ieedine aayer of filler tobacco transversely of saidecnvey r on o the, latter toadvance c, section. or said l yer on, to seid'eonvevorlje doeeriv timedrelationship-ate adv nce sa d lay r and separate the sections thereof adanced on; said conveyor to form a continnousistreem c fillertobacco onsaid conveyor, and means for driving; said conveyor in properly timedelation:

shi to said mechanism to cause ov rlapp n of.

said sections in sningled relationship on." saidconveyor. t

22. In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor fori'ntermittently feeding a dim:

tinuous, stream of filler tobacco, of mechanism for depositing fillertobacco leaves upon said conveyor with the lengths thereof extendinslengthwise of the conveyor to. 'formthereon a continuous stream oftobacco whose "breadth is approximately the thickness of a bunch charge,

and a device 'for separating bunch length charges from the forwardend ofsaid stream' during intervals while the s aid stream is' not being fed;said mechanismv operating to deposit the filler tobacco in overlappedshingledreld tions-hip on said conveyor, and" means for trans ferringthe separated bunch length charges individually to a predeterminedposition, said device including a cutter'arranged at a distance from theforward end of said stream correspond ing to the desired length of thecharges.

FREDERICK c. GLADECK;

